Saddam accuses Kurdish witnesses of sowing division among Iraqis
Saddam Hussein today accused prosecution witnesses in his genocide trial today of sowing division for the benefit of Israel after they testified that his regime’s forces detained Kurds in camps where hundreds died of malnutrition.
The ex-president also lashed out at the chief prosecutor, who charged that Saddam ran a police state that kept no records of detainees and camps.
It was the first time in weeks that Saddam was allowed to speak during the session, in contrast to previous hearings when he was ordered out of the courtroom after being accused of making political interjections irrelevant to proceedings.
Saddam spoke twice today, the first time to refute testimony by two witnesses.
They said they were detained, during an offensive against Kurds in 1988, in a camp where conditions were so bad that hundreds died of malnutrition.
“This will only serve the separation,” Saddam said, referring to the deepening division among Iraqis amid sectarian fighting.
“The Zionists are the only ones who will benefit from the differences among Iraqis,” Saddam added.
The deposed leader later denied claims that he ran a police state. “Our country and government are real,” Saddam said.
